AST 111 Introduction to Solar Systems Astronomy. (3)
fall
History, properties of light, instruments, study of solar system and nearby stars. For nonscience majors. Optional lab (AST 113).
General Studies: SQ (if credit also earned in AST 113)
AST 112 Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology. (3)
spring
Structure and evolution of stars, star clusters, galaxies, cosmology. For nonscience majors. Optional lab (AST 114).
General Studies: SQ (if credit also earned in AST 114)
AST 113 Astronomy Laboratory I. (1)
fall
Astronomical observations and experiments designed to increase familiarity with the sky, telescopes, and astronomical measurements. 2.5 hours lab. Pre- or corequisites: AST 111 (or 321); a working knowledge of high school algebra and geometry.
General Studies: SQ (if credit also earned in AST 111 or 321)
AST 114 Astronomy Laboratory II. (1)
spring
Similar to AST 113, but material chosen to supplement AST 112 and 322. 2.5 hours lab. Pre- or corequisites: AST 112 (or 322); a working knowledge of high school algebra and geometry.
General Studies: SQ (if credit also earned in AST 112 or 322)
AST 321 Introduction to Planetary and Stellar Astrophysics. (3)
fall
Physical laws; celestial mechanics; properties of planets, the sun, and other stars; formation and evolution of stars and planetary systems. Prerequisites: MAT 270 (or 290); PHY 150.
General Studies: SQ (if credit also earned in AST 113)
AST 322 Introduction to Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics. (3)
spring
Evolved stars, introduction to relativity, galaxies and interstellar matter, structure and dynamics of galaxies, cosmology. Prerequisite: AST 321 or instructor approval.
General Studies: SQ (if credit also earned in AST 114)
AST 421 Astrophysics I. (3)
fall
Selected astrophysical topics, including: stellar evolution, star formation, interstellar medium, galactic structure, extragalactic astronomy, high-energy astrophysics, and cosmology. Prerequisites: AST 321, 322; PHY 311, 314.
AST 422 Astrophysics II. (3)
spring
Same range of astrophysical topics as for AST 421 but different specific topics are emphasized in a given year. Prerequisites: AST 321, 322; PHY 311, 314.
AST 499 Individualized Instruction. (3)
selected semesters
AST 531 Galaxies and Cosmology I. (3)
spring
Structure and evolution of the Milky Way, stellar properties, populations and associations/clusters, interstellar medium, dark matter. Prerequisites: PHY 521, 531, 571 (or its equivalent).
AST 532 Galaxies and Cosmology II. (3)
fall
Structure of galaxies and the nearby universe, Hubble sequence, kappa-space, stellar populations, active galaxies, galaxy environments. Prerequisite: AST 531 or instructor approval.
AST 533 Galaxies and Cosmology III. (3)
spring
Issues in modern cosmology, the distance scale, cosmological parameters, cosmological tests, cosmic background radiation, early universe, galaxy formation and evolution. Prerequisite: AST 532 or instructor approval.
Omnibus Courses. For an explanation of additional courses offered but not specifically listed, see “Omnibus Courses.”